Jin walked at a brisk pace through the palace halls.
There was a curious and specific form of confusion that came from wanting a moment of introspection while also wishing to avoid it at all costs. Jin found relief from the dissonant needs by bringing out the one letter she'd taken an interest in. She could occupy herself with something more present until those other, transient concerns were forgotten.
Perhaps ironically, Jin also had conflicted feelings about Lady Claryss Deveaux.
On the one hand, Jin had known Lady Claryss since before she came of age. She was among the most respected, if not the most respected, fashion connoisseurs in Althandor. Her seamstress' gallery in Northrun was the finest in the Spired City, so it went without saying that Jin had met with Lady Claryss on countless occasions. Whether to commission a gown for a special event or to browse Claryss' latest works, Jin could always find an excuse to use her stipend there. The gallery was also where she and Starra spent most of their time together during their frequent outings. The fact that Claryss was related to a celebrated singer and actor Jin admired only elevated the gallery's allure for a young, impressionable princess.
And on the other hand, Jin had recently become aware of what Claryss got up to when she wasn't dreaming up gowns. She had been one of Hierarch Ambrose the Merovech's apprentices, and that had been kept from both the magocracy and House Algara. Maya had very little to say that was flattering about Claryss after their brief dealings, and Tarlus' good eye twitched whenever the Cabal came up in conversation. Claryss had even led Lord Ambrose's secret Cabal of demon hunters following his death, up until Starra took over.
Jin was still unclear on the details of how Starra wrested control of the Cabal from Claryss. Starra gave the impression it hadn't been a friendly exchange of power.
Therefore, it was with the utmost suspicion how Jin broke the seal on the letter she received from Lady Claryss Deveaux. By the postmark, it arrived at the palace shortly after the debacle in Eastrun. Jin read as she walked, only occasionally raising her eyes to make sure she didn't wander over the side of a skybridge. She found her shortened hair prone to falling into her eyes, so she tucked a length of it behind one ear.
Most sincere greetings, Your Highness.
It was with a joyful heart that I received word of your return to the City of Althandor. Northrun had grown drab with your absence, as your presence has long been a most radiant point of light in the capital's social circles. I've grown maudlin without your particular eye for fashion to brighten my days, not to mention your appreciation for the art. Thus I must fall to my knees and beg that it will not be long before you grace the gallery with your presence again. You may trust that I've much to show you that I am certain will be of interest to one of your impeccable taste, and you've my word that several of these items are unlike anything you may have seen before. Only the finest of my creations for you, Your Highness.
Ever and most humbly your faithful servant,
Lady Claryss Deveaux, Proprietress of Evanescent Silk and Satin Gallery of Northrun.
Jin hummed, dubious of taking the words at face value. She knew too much of Claryss' clandestine dealings on behalf of the Cabal to trust the letter's sincerity. That, and she hadn't been too fond of the way the Cabal, under Claryss' leadership, attempted to facilitate the overthrow of her father. They even tried manipulating Enfri and Shan Alee into doing their dirty work for them, not to mention the trouble they gave Maya. Jin was tempted to crumple the letter and toss it into a privy, but she happened to turn the paper over and see the lines scrawled on the back.
P.S. Your frequent companion in past visits to the gallery has been most insistent that this invitation be extended. If nothing else, I believe your presence may grant me a moment's respite from the lush's incessant nagging.
Jin hummed again, and it had a more amenable tone to it this time. Starra making the invitation made all the difference, as well as a lot more sense. There was even a chance the items Claryss referred to related with Jiranthis and the elves. Jin felt she had little choice but to find time to visit the gallery. More so, if it was for Starra's sake.
It was an additional thought that sealed the deal in Jin's opinion. If she didn't miss her guess, Reyn would be there. Pacifica and the others, as well. Jin felt it would do her a world of good to be surrounded by friends again. Ones that weren't aligning against her and her house, even. Jin wanted assurance they were alright, and also find out what they were getting up to during her recovery.
If her next few tasks went well and were seen to in good time, Jin resolved that she would try to make her way to Northrun today. Penny against a mark, this was about something important. Starra could become prone to flights of fancy, but Reyn had the enviable ability to keep the dratted vampire in line.
Everwood Keep, the Cabal, fiend infestations, rendezvousing handmaidens, ghostly ancestors, and a foreign god doling out sainthoods... Winds take me. The list of things needing to be dealt with is going to get unmanageable before I know it.
Part of her acknowledged that her situation had passed the point of being merely "unmanageable" months ago. Nothing short of a deity was going to get this mess sorted out, and hers had been curiously silent all morning. Even the prayers Ranton made her listen in on were taking a sabbatical, but Jin was inclined to be thankful for small favors.
Before that, however, Jin needed to play her role as princess.
She burned Claryss' letter in a controlled burst of spellfire and continued on her way. Her path through the palace was unhindered, for the most part. On four separate occasions, she was forced to stop and exchange pleasantries with members of the court. Most unpleasant of the lot was Lord Arkus the Vantalan.
Jin didn't recognize him at first. When she left the Spired City, Lord Arkus had been a reasonably attractive man in the prime of his youth. Seeing him now, Jin found it hard to believe he'd yet to turn thirty. Winds, even forty. It appeared that the Vantalan had spent every waking moment during Jin's absence to avail himself of any pleasure he could get his hands on, copious amounts of alcohol and sweets in particular.
Unfortunately, any doubt Jin might've had about Arkus' true identity were dispelled the instant he opened his mouth. He loudlyâ and boorishlyâ praised Jin's beauty and station. She couldn't be certain of his intent, but Jin suspected there'd been a compliment directed towards her breasts somewhere in all the drivel; he certainly stole enough glances towards them. Jin kept her tone civil while she imagined how large a splatter Arkus would make if she tossed him off a balcony.
Infinitely more enjoyable was Jin's encounter with Hierarch Savain the Dothraun. It was no secret that, of all her father's ministers, the Dothraun was Jin's favorite. He'd spotted her out of the corner of his eye as their paths crossed on a palace skybridge, then almost made a scene when he chased after her to catch up.
They embraced as dear friends, unbothered by the gap of fifty years separating their ages. Jin felt she could smile without reservation as they walked arm and arm through the skybridge gardens together for a time. She inquired after his wife and of his duties as minister of culture. In turn, Lord Savain told Jin of how she was missed at his last annual gala. The Dothraun didn't allow Jin to escape him until he'd collected her promise that she would attend the event next year and wear something to make his shrewish daughters turn green with envy.
Before parting, Lord Savain made veiled references to a grandnieceâ newly arrived in the Spired City from his Gaulatian holdingsâ that he wished for Jin to meet. It included a playful challenge that if only one other in the world could rival Jin's sense of fashion, it was Lady Alexa Dothraun. Outwardly accepting, inwardly reluctant, Jin agreed to serve as Lady Alexa's escort to the next annual gala.
Blustering coot, Jin thought as she left the Dothraun behind. Don't think I'm blind to your game, meddler. You and your grandniece aren't so sly as you believe.
Jin settled on getting upset about it, or she'd be forced to admit she already knew the motive behind the Dothraun's casual play at matchmaking. House Dothraun was among the greatest houses of Althandor, so Lord Savain had little need to attach a young woman from his family to royalty for social standing. He, as many others who genuinely cared for Jin, only wanted to help mend her broken heart.
But, throwing any and every eligible girl her way was not the way to do it. Jin would rather let the wound fade in its own time. Then, Jin might give thought to courtship again. Not before.
Still, it was nice to plan for Althandor to survive the doom, and there would be a gala next year. That led to wonderings of what Lady Alexa was like, or if she enjoyed dancing.
Jin heard a hum inside her head. It sounded too much like mockery for her liking.
"I see you are back," she muttered under her breath.
I never left you.
"If you say so. Does something amuse you, then?"
Perhaps so. I am relatively new to residing so close to the thoughts of a mortal, so I mused if the issues you choose to dwell on might one day cease to astound me.
"A lady might take offense at her private thoughts getting violated."
You are not wrong to be. I can only beg your forgiveness, for pacts such as ours are as involuntary on my end as they are on yours. The old forms must be heeded.
Jin scowled and hid her face from those she passed by, so they wouldn't mistake her anger as being directed towards them. "Why must they be heeded? Who decided that?"
You did.
"I did?" Jin asked, incredulous.
Yes. Mortals.
"Why do you do what we believe? We're idiots."
Because the old forms must be heeded.
Jin grew weary of the circular logic. Next time she saw Krayson, she'd get it from him if he'd ever sussed out what the old forms actually were, because Jin had neither the will or patience to ask a spirit.
You question things which must be taken on faith, Child of Gara. Knowledge will not bring you understanding of this. Belief will. You must learn to listen.
"No prayers today," Jin said. "I cannot be distracted."
I will keep them from you for a little while longer, then, Ranton promised, but I cannot and will not do so forever. You will soon hear them again. When you do, listen to them.
"Blustering wonderful," Jin growled. She felt she was beginning to understand why Krayson had a twist in his lip when he spoke to her outside the winehouse of being a saint. Gods were insufferable.
"What's wonderful?"
Jin stopped in place and immediately regretted it. A pair of hands clamped over her eyes.
"Guess who."
Jin sighed. "I am glad you are well, Devara. I worried."
The hands removed themselves from Jin's face. "So formal? Devi, Cousin. Call me Devi. Devara's a name for a vapid waif with big knockers but no backside. I'm exactly the opposite, thank you."
"Makes for a decent target when it finally comes time for me to kick it." Jin turned around to face her assailant. Despite the sour mood Ranton put her in, she could smile for Devara.
Devi laughed. "There we go. You're a lot more fun when you pull the iron rod out your arse." She blinked, and her pupils narrowed into slits. "Winds take me, your hair. That'll take getting used to."
Jin winced. "How bad is it?"
"Not bad at all. Could use a professional touch, but I like it on you."
The compliment actually caused Jin to blush.
"I mean, not everyone can have curls like these."
"Ugh, don't remind me. I'd kill for your hair."
"So long as it's not me." Devi took Jin by the arm and pulled her down a side passage. She lowered her voice to a more conspiratorial level. "I need to tell you a few things. Be grateful I found you before Gain did."
Jin went along with Devi, but she had her reasons to make haste to the top of the palace. "I assume Gain wants my report from Eastrun."
"Probably, but he and everyone else are more worried you're..." Devi gave Jin a hard look. "I mean, you seem more or less yourself, but you've been out of it for days. Who knows what's normal for a saint."
Grimacing, Jin looked straight ahead as they walked. "I see there's been gossip. And you accept it?"
Devi shrugged. "We accept that Krayson accepts it. We're waiting to hear your side before letting it get out to the goodfolk that an Algara princess is making claims as a blessed saint."
Jin blinked in surprise and avoided giving her own opinion on the matter. "Brother Joshuan was here at the palace?"
"Of course. Him, the Romov princess, her gold dragon, even your vampire friend and her sexy bride. Your father had them assigned guest suites, but they haven't used them. I heard they and the rough bunch they're with are quartering at the Merovech estate."
Jin was now fully convinced she needed to speak to Starra and the others as soon as possible. "Lord Ambrose's home?"
"Yes. Oh, and there was something like a commotion over that. Guardsmen are still filing reports over how it all went down. Something about a renegade dragon. A bunch of dead thralls. It's been a mess."
"Cousin, you should either tell me the whole story or not say anything. These scraps you pass on do nothing but give me anxiety."
Devi had the decency to look apologetic. "As you say. I'll leave it at that. Just know they're all fine, everything's mostly settled, and your father is glad to have them on our side. Even the Krayson."
Jin sniffed haughtily. "As he should be. Brother Joshuan is a peerless arcanist. No one save for a demon knows more about the old masters. It is crucial he remain with us."
Their path through the hallways took them to a steam lift alcove. Devi pulled Jin into one, but Jin frowned when she saw that Devi was taking her to a lower level.
"Where are we going?" Jin asked. "I must speak with my father. It is important."
"Don't get your smallclothes twisted. This takes top priority, or Gain will have your head before you get anywhere near the king. It's why I've been looking for you. Almost had to beat that Arkus prat bloody before he told me where he saw you headed last."
"Explain, and quickly."
"Everyone's glad to have Pacifica and the blood runner. Winds, even those fiend hunters, what with everything going on with Algol's pets. Gain and the king aren't so happy about your other friend."
Jin shook her head, not comprehending.
"Yeah, just..." Devi sighed. "I was hoping you could smooth all this over."
The steam lift came to a stop and vented a billowing cloud of steam. The clockwork doors opened to let them off. Devi immediately set out at a quick pace, and Jin almost had to jog to keep up.
They arrived at a skybridge between the central and northern towers. This particular skybridge carried facilities to support the royal guard. There were training yards, a few vegetable gardens, an apothecary, a handful of barracks, and even a decent-sized stable. It was practically a small village suspended high above the ground level.
Jin noted at once the tension in the air. She saw at least three times the armsmen there would normally be, most standing at grim attention. They appeared on edge, and judging by what Jin noticed next, she didn't blame them.
Grimdar perched on the edge of the skybridge in his truest form. Though Jin knew how sturdy a skybridge was, she couldn't help but think Grimdar's enormity would test the construction to its limit. While every armsmen in sight had their attention locked on the dragon in their midst, Grimdar had his drawn elsewhere. He kept his head low to the ground, and Jin could hear his rumbling voice speaking in soft tones to someone.
"What's all this about?" Jin demanded. "The Gladiator came to help us."
Devi gestured for Jin to go and see for herself.
Breaking into a run, Jin forced her way through an encircling ring of armsmen. The commotion was centered around a fenced parcel. Thick sod and long grass covered the groundâ a place for the guards' horses to go to pasture when it was more practical to keep them here than in the dedicated stables on the lower levels. When Jin made her way to the Gladiator's side, she stopped short and let out an exhausted groan.
"Grimdar... You didn't."
The dragon's eye shifted in its socket to look her way. "Ah, Highness. Good to see you are well."
Ura hadn't missed Jin's arrival either. The scale lion got to its feet from where she'd been reclining and loosed a guttural hiss of displeasure.
"She is cranky, Highness," Grimdar warned. "Your soldiers insist on keeping close watch, so she's hardly gotten a wink of sleep for the stress they're causing her." Grimdar scowled and pointed a claw into the ranks of armsmen. "Don't think I don't see you. Yes, you. The one trying to hide a crossbow behind your back. We'll have none of that."
Jin resisted the urge to slap her forehead. She was about to give Grimdar the harshest scolding he ever received in his long life, but Jin saw something else that drove it out of mind. A huge sigh of relief came out of her. She entirely forgot her crippling fear of scale lions as she ignored Ura and walked past her to Grimdar's second charge.
Scorpion whinnied happily as Jin came up to him. He stamped a hoof and lowered his head to receive Jin's affection.
Jin ran fingers through Scorpion's white mane before hugging his head. It was important she not get teary-eyed while her father's armsmen were there to see, so she kept her stoicism at the forefront. Even so, Jin couldn't stop herself from smiling.
"There's my boy," Jin whispered while scratching Scorpion's neck. Her fingers caught in a small tangle of his black hair. "Winds and storms. Has no one been brushing you? No wonder you're so happy to see me."
Scorpion nickered and tossed his head. He sidestepped to present his flank to her, his intent clear. The brat.
Jin turned towards the nearest armsmen. "Bring a horse brush," she commanded. Jin pointed to others and gave terse orders. "Summon a groom from the royal stable. You, get his saddle and tack from the Gladiator; see it is taken to the horsemaster for mending. Sergeant, disperse your watch."
The sergeant in question flickered his gaze between Jin and the scale lion snarling at him.
"At once, Sergeant."
Reluctantly, the man gave a series of clipped orders, and the armsmen began pulling away from the little pasture. Jin gave a sharp glare towards a few still fondling crossbows until they retreated in preference of drawing the princess' ire.
Devi called out to Jin from a long distance away. It seemed she had already gotten as close to Ura as she intended to. "Seems you got this under control. I'll go tell Gain and your father to expect you."
"I will want to be appraised of the war," Jin replied. "The throne room?"
"Aye, I'll pass it along. Glad you're better, Jin, and..." Her eyes went to Ura. "Yeah... and please stay safe."
An armsmen returned with a brush as Devi took her leave. Jin began sorting out the tangles that had accumulated in Scorpion's coat, and Grimdar briefly turned into mist as he assumed his bald and burly human form. The dragon looked relieved while out from underneath the watchful gaze of thirty armsmen, and he took a few moments to coax Ura back into a reclining position.
"My thanks, Highness," he said. "The longer we were here, the more tense the situation grew. I'm glad no one bothered her while I looked for you in Eastrun."
"Lord Gladiator," Jin said as patiently as she could, "the Spired City is far and away from a scale lion's natural habitat."
"Point of fact, scale lions don't have a natural habitat any longer. Their breed adapted to desert life, but there isn't a desert suited to them anymore."
Jin frowned in Ura's direction, particularly at her large size. "They seem to be doing well enough for themselves."
"True. Quite true. Wondrous creatures."
Jin absently touched at her abdomen and the scars hidden underneath her armor. "I will have to take your word on that."
"Please do," Grimdar exclaimed. "Habitual adaptation is all but unheard of among predatory reptiles. Nonetheless, Ura has demonstrated a remarkable ability to... how would you say... go with the flow of things."
Jin exchanged a look with Scorpion. She could've sworn the horse rolled his eyes. "She does not appear any less aggressive than the last time I saw her. The wards Deebee put on her may have kept Ura from snapping at Aleesh, but we're Althandi in this city."
Grimdar chuckled. "But you forget, love, Ura saw what she perceived as cubs being friendly with humans; with humans being friendly with cubs. She's still a touch hesitant, but I daresay Ura even looks at you differently than she once did."
Jin grunted, unconvinced.
"Ura wants to believe it," Grimdar said. "Hard lessons and ingrained instinct keep her from accepting the truth of the matter, but in the end, it's still what she wants. Even a killer like her would rather coexist than be forced to fight for her life against everything she comes across."
Jin patted Scorpion's side to tell him she'd finished with his brushing. The pampered brat tossed his head and pranced off to graze. He seemed far too pleased with himself, but Jin was happy to have him home.
"Grimdar, why am I starting to get this idea in my head that you didn't bring Ura here for her own sake?"
There was an audible smirk in Grimdar's tone. "I couldn't say. But, what's to say it isn't? She abandoned the rest of her pride out of self-destructive devotion to them, began wandering the wilderness with the intent of dying alone, but then no one would let her. We keep pulling her back to the world of the living, telling her that she belongs here. I think Ura needs to see that living is better, even if it's not quite in the way she thought she was going to."
Jin hadn't moved from where she brushed Scorpion. She kept her back to Grimdar and Ura. "Meddler," she grumbled. "Blustering Grimdar the Meddler."
"Better than the Blabbermouth."
"Bite your tongue. Nothing and no one is better than the Blabbermouth."
Grimdar laughed. "Aye, love. As you say."
Jin held the brush in her hands, staring down at it. A sensation of fangs appeared next to her nape. She began to hear the whispering of voices, begging for salvation, in the back of her head. Her body ached, and her heart was broken. Worst of all, her hands shook because no one was there to hold them.
"We grow back stronger," she murmured. Jin turned and took a slow step towards where Grimdar crouched beside Ura.
The scale lion reclined much like how a chicken sat in its nest. Her head raised to follow Jin's every movement. Her quills snapped erect, and she warbled a low, warning growl.
Undeterred, Jin approached and knelt beside Ura opposite from Grimdar. She let out a breath to expel her fear and swiped her brush over Ura's scales. Dust flaked off her hide to reveal glistening scales underneath.
Ura's growls grew softer as her quills slowly lay down until they were flush with her body. Her head swung around towards Jin, she snuffled at her, then Ura lay her head down in Jin's lap. Her blue eyes closed, content.
Jin stroked Ura's cheeks while she brushed, and she was rewarded with getting her hand nuzzled. Despite herself, Jin decided she could see why Grimdar and Josy were so fascinated by scale lions. Ura was... honestly... rather sweet, once you got to know her.
"There's my girl," Jin murmured. "There's my pretty girl. Let's get you cleaned up."
Ura purred in time with the brush strokes.
Josy was going to die of jealousy if she saw this.
"I should mention," Grimdar said as he watched with a wistful grin. "I had something made before I left Sandharbor."
"Hmm?"
Grimdar retrieved what looked like a flat and oversized leather haversack from a holding spell. "Nooka was good enough to make it to my specifications. It should lay nicely over her quills. What do you think, Highness? Will Ura be comfortable wearing a saddle?"
Ura's eyes snapped open. She and Jin both skewered Grimdar with appalled glares.